Instructions to George Morgan, Agent for Indian Affairs in the Middle Department

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The Committee appointed to prepare Instructions to George Morgan, Esq˙, brought in a draft, which, being read, was agreed to, as follows:

To GEORGE MORGAN, Esq˙, Agent under the Commissioners for INDIAN Affairs in the Middle Department.

SIR: You are required to provide that the Great Belt presented to the Indians last fall at Pittsburgh, be forwarded, with all convenient expedition, to the Sachems and Warriors of the Western Nations, and endeavour, to the utmost of your power, to convince them of the good wishes

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Acquaint the Indians that Congress have formed the best plan they could devise to import foreign goods for their use, and have neglected no probable means to procure them in time; and if they should not be supplied so soon as they may be wanted, the misfortune is to be ascribed to the common enemies of them and us, who, by obstructing our trade, as well as in numberless other instances, are daily injuring and distressing both; but that we have well-grounded hopes of speedy relief, in expectation of which, and of greater advantages in prospect, the present inconveniences are borne more patiently.

All differences and disputes that shall happen between the Indians and white people, you will have adjusted and determined in the mode prescribed by a resolve of Congress, of which you have a copy; and you are directed, in a particular manner, to prevent, as much as you are able, any impositions upon the former by those who deal with them. Treat all those people with whom you may meet kindly and hospitably. Inspire them with sentiments of justice and humanity, and dispose them to introduce the arts of civil and social life, and to encourage the residence of husbandmen and handicraftmen among them. Advise the Congress, from time to time, of all occurrences that may, in your opinion, deserve their attention.